Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, reportedly refused to travel with the Super Eagles squad, for their 2026 World Cup qualifier in South Africa last week.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is said to have requested that he joined the rest of the squad, to offer moral support ahead of the game in Bloemfontein.

This was revealed by SuperSport presenter, Charles Anazodo, on Monday night.

Osimhen picked up an ankle injury during their 1-0 win over Rwanda in the first game of the international break and immediately flew back to his base to Turkey.

Anazodo wrote on X: “A very reliable source today told me the @thenff officials pleaded with Osimhen to travel with the @NGSuperEagles to South Africa as a means of support despite his injury.

“He blatantly refused and chose to go back to his club.”

Osimhen is still recovering from the injury but could make a return to action when Galatasaray play Frankfurt in the Champions League this midweek.